Southeast of the Dunhuang oasis, the Mogao Caves in Gansu preserve 492 caves, about 45,000 square meters of murals and more than 2,000 painted sculptures. These figures show the different forms this heritage takes: cave spaces, large-scale paintings and individual figures all play a part. In the broader cultural context of China, the caves were first created in 366 AD; they represent Buddhist art from the 4th to the 14th century. This brings together, in one place, a clear geographical connection to Dunhuang and a long art-historical span.
Monasteries, Caves and Historic Routes
Labrang Monastery in Xiahe offers a different cultural perspective. It is an important Tibetan religious and cultural center for the regions of Gansu, Qinghai and Sichuan, and is one of the six most important Gelug monasteries. The monastery preserves more than 60,000 volumes in twelve categories. Its regional importance and the size of its collection highlight different aspects: here, both a religious institution and the written works it preserves are significant.
The Maijishan Caves also tell a story that developed over a long period. They were first created during the Later Qin period and continuously expanded over twelve dynasties. The Maijishan region also brings together forests, flowers, streams and waterfalls across more than 180 scenic spots. Cultural history and landscape stand side by side here, without one explaining the other.
At Jiayuguan Pass, the history of the Great Wall meets that of the Silk Road. In ancient times, the pass was an important route along the Silk Road and marks the starting point of the western section of the Ming Great Wall. It was built in 1372 and has stood in the Gobi Desert for more than 600 years. Across China as a whole, the Great Wall stretches for more than 20,000 kilometers—from Shanhaiguan in Hebei Province in the east to Jiayuguan in Gansu Province in the west.
Sand, Spring Water and Expansive Grasslands
Near Dunhuang, the Mingsha Mountain and Crescent Moon Spring scenic area is designated a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a world-class geopark. Crescent Moon Spring lies within the area enclosed by the Mingsha Mountains; the interplay of sand and spring water shapes its landscape. Zhangye National Geopark, known for its colorful Danxia landforms, also holds the designations of a national 5A-level tourist attraction and a world-class geopark. It is located in Zhangye City and Linze and Sunan counties, and covers 50 square kilometers. These designations may change over time; check their current status before your trip if it is important to your plans.
Sangke Grassland offers a different scale: it is a 70-square-kilometer meadow-steppe area in Xiahe, in the Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu. It lies 18 kilometers southwest of Labrang or Xiahe County town and can be reached directly by road. As road conditions may change, check them before driving.
Forests and Architecture at Mount Kongtong
At Mount Kongtong, landscape and architecture also stand in a remarkable relationship. Forest covers more than 95 percent of the area; the mountain is also a national geopark and a national nature reserve. Its architectural complex comprises 42 building groups, with eight terraces, nine palaces and twelve courtyards. These figures reveal two different sides of the site: its high proportion of forest cover and a complex arrangement of buildings and courtyards. Together with the cave sites, monasteries, passes and grasslands, these places show that Gansu is defined not by a single theme, but by distinctly different cultural and landscape features.
Discover more destinations: Wuwei, Jiuquan, Lanzhou, Dingxi, Baiyin, Jiayuguan, Gannan, Zhangye, Jinchang, Longnan, Pingliang, Linxia, Qingyang, Tianshui.
For the main travel overview: China.
